Egypt's penal system, defined by severe punishment and pre-trial abuses, impacts the state’s legitimacy, the rise of radicalization, and prospects for a transition.
Russia’s increased involvement in Libya marks a turning point in the conflict, making an Ankara-Kremlin rapprochement all the more likely.
Sisi prioritizes large-scale infrastructure projects to galvanize support, but these projects deepen the military’s hold over the economy and provide no tangible broad economic benefit.
The dramatic death of the former president of Egypt, Mohammed Morsi, on June 17th, reignited debate about the future of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and political Islam across the region.
The internal debates over new amendments in Egypt reveal the renewed struggle between the president and the military for political dominance.
Backlash against capital punishment in Egypt has reduced the number of executions but led security forces to increase their use of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
Cairo hopes that support for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will convince Khartoum to make concessions on ongoing disputes and prevent instability from spilling over the border.
Proposed amendments to Egypt’s constitution will enshrine the military’s position above the state by giving it greater legal means to intervene against elected governments and prosecute political opponents.
The Egyptian state’s continued and worsening crackdown on academic research is hindering its goals of expanding knowledge for economic development.
In addition to escalating tensions with Italy, Egypt’s response to the murder case of Giulio Regeni shows how the security services rely on torture as the primary tool of repression.
Sisi’s efforts to broker the reunification of the Libyan army are less about stabilizing its neighbor than empowering Khalifa Haftar against shared Islamist foes.
Egypt’s current attempt to reduce public debt through austerity measures ignores the problem’s roots in uncontrolled military spending.
The Egyptian state’s choice to downplay a recent attack on Christians in favor of promoting the World Youth Forum is further eroding trust in local media.
The Egyptian state’s seizure of Muslim Brotherhood funds undermines the rule of law and may further discourage organizations and businessmen from criticizing the regime.
A new law to develop Upper Egypt indicates the regime is abandoning its constitutional obligation to return Nubians to their former lands around the Aswan High Dam.
A new law regarding the Egyptian military gives the president greater ability to shield select senior officers from prosecution and strengthens his control over the military.
Recent arrests in Egypt aim to preempt public anger over planned neoliberal economic reforms and enhanced presidential powers.
The Egyptian government’s reluctance to loosen its grip on private sector industries has impeded the flow of foreign direct investment into the country.
Growing cooperation between Egypt and Israel will have direct implications on Cairo’s ability to play its traditional role as a mediator in the Palestinian peace process.
The Egyptian authorities’ undifferentiated use of torture is adding to Egyptians’ growing frustration at the impunity of officials and the erosion of the rule of law.